Fate VS Free Will

Oedipus Quotes

Spoken by Tiresias, to Oedipus during their spit

“What will come will come. Even if I shroud it all in silence”

Spoken by Oedious as he convinces Creon to let him go

“It’s mine alone, my destiny- I am Oedipus”

Spoken by Jocasta

“Nothing human can penetrate the future”

Spoken by Oedipus to Creon about the unjustified murder of King Laius

“I’ll bring it all to light myself!/Now you have me to fight for you”

Spoken by Oedipus to the Chorus, as they lament the plague

“You pray to the gods? Let me grant your prayers”

Spoken by Oedipus, to Jocasta after Polybus is declared dead

“I live in fear, I must”

Spoken by the Chorus in the FIRST STASIMON after Tiresias reveals the truth

“…but he cannot outrace the dread voices of Delphi”

Spoken by Jocasta to the gods right after Polybus is declared dead

“You prophecies of the gods where are you now?”

Spoken by Jocasta, about the oracle’s declaration to Laius

“…doom would strike him down at the hands of a son, our son”

Spoken by Jocasta to Oedipus on his fear of sleeping with his mother

“What should a man fear? It’s all chance, chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead, groping through the dark. Better to live at random”

Spoken by Jocasta to Oedipus after Polybus is declared dead

“Why look at the prophets hearth, the fires of the future?/All those prophecies I feared/they’re nothing, worthless.”

Spoken by the Chorus in the SECOND STASIMON

“Destiny guide me always/the god does not grow old”

Spoken by the chorus in the SECOND STASIMON about Oedipus’ nearing to the truth

“Can such a man, so desperate still boast he can save his life from the flashing bolts of god?”